Equestrian: Todd off to slow start

Mark Todd, returning to the Badminton horse trials after a 10-year absence and 30 years after his first win there, made an inauspicious start yesterday.

The double Olympic champion, who has won Badminton three times, struggled on his relatively inexperienced horse Grass Valley in the dressage.

"He worked beautifully outside yesterday and I thought a good test - maybe less than 50 penalties - was possible," Todd said.

But the atmosphere in the arena, with many spectators taking seats just for Todd's test, caused some minor errors and Grass Valley's score ended up at 55.8, putting Todd into 23rd place after half the 83-strong field completed their tests.

The second half of the field completed their dressage overnight, with the cross-country tonight and show jumping on Monday night (NZT).

Todd said he "felt like he'd never been away".

Best placed of the New Zealanders was Joe Meyer riding Clifton Lush in 13th place on 49.5 penalties, followed by Andrew Nicholson and Nereo on 51, in 16th.

The overnight leader on 39 was Britain's Ruth Edge with Two Thyme, five penalties ahead of compatriot Kitty King, who rode the New Zealand thoroughbred Boondoggle, formerly ridden by Christchurch's Tim Price.

- NZPA